Sensuality vs. Sexuality

            After reading Hammer’s article, Lesbian Filmmaking: Self-Birthing, I understand the importance of showing the avant-garde clips that were shown in class. As I was watching the clips, I was unsure about the relevance and thought that the plot-less clips contained too much erotic sexuality and not enough content. However, I realize that perhaps I was mistaking sensuality for sexuality. Making a film that incorporates lesbianism, as Hammer describes, is largely about portraying sensuality. Hammer writes, “It was sensuality, the experience of touch and sensation…sensual imagery that evoked physical sensations in the audience was its basic principle.” It didn’t occur to me that these avant-garde clips had an intention other than showing sexual relationships between two women in love. However, the details in the clips highlight the intimate sensuality. The camera focuses on small details in the couple’s relationship, such as an intimate touch to the shoulder and the goosebumps that follow. These small details are what the audience should pay attention to rather than the overall idea that the couple is having intercourse. The notion of sensuality overrides the vague sexuality illustrated in the clips and it is up to the viewer to pick up on that.